VDI 4707

Energy Efficiency Label

for Elevators
Schindler’s Approach to Sustainability
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
With elevators and escalators accounting
for up to 15% (*Source : CIBSE Guide D)
of the building sector’s use of energy,
green innovations and other energy saving
initiatives can offer large reductions in the
energy footprint of our built environment.
Schindler’s “Life Cycle Approach”
addresses all ecological aspects through-
out the entire life cycle of an elevator or
escalator i.e. from its development, its
energy usage in a building to the day of
its modernisation or disposal.
Life Cycle Assessment
Schindler uses external experts to conduct
Life Cycle Assessments following ISO
14004 to 14043 to identify further
potential improvements on ecological
performance. The LCA assessment
demonstrates that power consumption of
an elevator during its usage phase over a
life cycle of 20 to 30 years is responsible
for 80% of the environmental impact.
By far the largest potential for reducing
the environmental impact thus lies in the
elevator-operation phase, followed by raw
material acquisition and disposal (refer to
table below).
Total environmental impact % by product phase
Development
Material procurement
Production
Utilization phase
0 10 20 30
The energy generated while an elevator is in service (utilization phase)
accounts for two-thirds of its environmental impact.
Schindler’s policy is that all new products
have a better eco-performance than their
predecessor models. Owing to intelligent
and eco-friendly design, Schindler elevators
ensure the highest possible performance
and efficiency, thus generating substantial
2 VDI 4707
contribution to minimizing buildings’
ecological footprint across their life cycle.
Sustainable urban development is a major
challenge for planners and architects in
the 21st century, and Schindler supports
this with energy-efficient and ecologically
sound mobility solutions for commercial
and residential buildings.
Regenerative drives
Schindler have developed a line of
regenerative drives that provide “best in
class power factor 1 technology and THD
(total harmonic distortion) of < = 3%”.
The use of regenerative drives for lifts can
provide significant benefits to the Building
owner through;
• Energy savings through the return of
regenerated energy to the power line
• Reduced power demands during peak
periods
• A reduction in mains cable requirements
When promoting regenerative drives
Schindler takes into account the total
life cycle approach. The threshold where
regenerative drives are calculated to
produce a lower overall environmental
impact will vary depending on the type and
usage of the lift.
Systems with energy regeneration
40 50 60 70
VDI 4707
The Elevator Energy Efficiency
Benchmark
Schindler assesses its elevators based
on the VDI 4707 standard, an elevator
energy efficiency classification guideline
established by the Association of
German Engineers. The VDI 4707 is
widely applied in Europe and quickly
gaining popularity in other parts of the
world.
The rating combines measurements of both
standby and travel energy. Ratings are also
influenced by travel height, speed, load and
usage frequency.
The measurements and classification are a
guideline for Schindler to further contribute
to sustainable building development.

Energy efficiency classification of

VDI 4707 Energy efficiency classes
VDI 4707 measures and classifies
elevators according to their energy
performance. It defines an Energy label
and provides a figure for a “yearly
nominal energy demand”.

Seven energy efficiency classes provide a

transparent and factual overview when
rating elevators according to their energy
performance. They range from “A” to “G”
with “A” being the best-in-class system.

VDI 4707 elevator energy efficiency classification, established by the Association

of German Engineers (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure)

Travel
Usage Speed/ Travel
+ height
category rated load
Stand-by

Measurements Mathematical model Classification

– Measured energy – Elevator/Customer data – Rating is given according to
demand – Given specifications influence the weighting individual unit specification
– Classified into of travel and stand-by energy demand and usage
A-G ratings – Influence the total classification – Total energy-efficiency classes
from A-G, whereby A is
”best in class“

Measurement is carried out on an actual elevator installation. Depending on the usage of

the elevator, measurement from both standby and travel classes need to be considered
separately to form a common class: the Energy Efficiency Class of the elevator.

VDI 4707 3
Schindler 3300 AP
Energy Efficiency Label
Case study: Actual measurement carried out on 16 April 2010. Schindler 3300 AP, low to
mid rise elevator achieved the A class energy rating from the VDI 4707, the highest rating
under the VDI 4707 classification.

Elevator energy
efficiency certificate
Manufacturer: Schindler
Location: Shanghai China
Elevator Model: Schindler 3300 AP
Elevator Type: Electric operated passenger elevator

Energy efficiency classes

Energy demand kWh/year 4,246

Nominal demand per year for nominal values shown.

Rated load: 1,000 kg

Rated speed: 1.75 m/s
Operating days / year: 365
Standby demand: 71 W
(energy demand class B)
Specific travel demand: 0.537 mWh/kgm
(energy demand class A)

Usage category 4
according to VDI 4707
Comparison of energy efficiency is only possible
under equal usage.

Date: 16.04.2010
Reference: VDI 4707 Part 1 (Issue March 2009)

4 VDI 4707
Efficient system
The passenger elevator Schindler 3300 AP
follows an efficient system approach. Resulting
in optimised energy demand, ecological
responsible production and material usage,
convenient planning, fast installation and
trouble-free maintenance.

Drive
– Green gearless machine for smooth ride
quality
– Efficient motor enabling a direct power
transfer, avoiding loss of power
– Stable start without high peak current, quickly
reaching a low energy consumption level
– Frequency converter equipped with stand-
by power mode
– Environmentally friendly as no oil is needed
for lubrication
– Compact, light weight, and durable design
that optimises material usage

Control
– System switches car lights and ventilation
into stand-by mode when not in use
– Car panel and floor indicators operate
with low power LEDs
– Multi-bus control
– Smart operation, down collective and
selective collective controls for efficient
passenger transportation

Car and hoistway

– Car lighting equipped with energy saving
lamps
– Central guiding system reduces mechanical
friction and energy consumption
– Door drive with stand-by mode for
safety and energy conservation
– Machine-room-less and Eco-effective
design allows for more space in the same
shaft and saves construction resources
– Lead free counterweight

VDI 4707 5
Schindler 7000 Energy Efficiency Label

Case study : Actual measurement carried out on 13 April 2010. Schindler 7000, high rise
elevator achieved the A class energy rating from the VDI 4707, the highest rating under
the VDI 4707 classification.

Elevator energy
efficiency certificate
Manufacturer: Schindler
Location: Shanghai China
Elevator Model: Schindler 7000
Elevator Type: Electric operated passenger elevator

Energy efficiency classes

Energy demand kWh/year 25,267

Nominal demand per year for nominal values shown.

Rated load: 1,600 kg

Rated speed: 4 m/s
Operating days / year: 365
Standby demand: 294 W
(energy demand class D)
Specific travel demand: 0.462 mWh/kgm
(energy demand class A)

Usage category 5
according to VDI 4707
Comparison of energy efficiency is only possible
under equal usage.

Date: 13.04.2010
Reference: VDI 4707 Part 1 (Issue March 2009)

6 VDI 4707
Efficient system
The Schindler 7000 high rise elevator
follows an efficient system approach,
resulting in optimised energy demands,
ecologically responsible production and
material usage, convenient planning, fast
installation and trouble-free maintenance.

Drive
– Regenerative drive technology, return of
regenerated energy to power line
– Synchronous and asynchronous gearless
motor technology
– Outstanding ACVF technology
– Best in class Power factor 1 technology
and THD (total harmonic distortion) of
< = 3%
– Top efficiency factors
– Reduction of energy consumption

Car and hoistway

Car:
– Automatic switch-off of car lighting if
elevators are not in use
– Use of highly efficient roller guide shoe
Door:
– Highly efficient synchronous and
asynchronous motor
– Low-friction mechanics

Control
– Traffic Management System
– Schindler development: Intelligent,
energy-saving application thanks to
microprocessor technology
– More performance with fewer elevators
– Direct travel with minimum stops
– Faster availability of cars
– Reduction of empty car operation

VDI 4707 7
We don’t just talk green,
we act green.
Corporate citizenship at Schindler:
http://ccr.schindler.com

Schindler Lifts NZ Ltd

25 Nugent Street
PO Box 724 Tel. +64 9 353 7500
Auckland Fax +64 9 353 7501
New Zealand www.schindler.co.nz